Chapter 163: Courting Death?

Yang Yuanji watched as Jiang Linfeng drew nearer, his gaze icy. He had a deep bond with the Chen family, and now, due to Jiang Linfeng, Chen’s Martial Arts Hall faced the threat of its legacy being severed.

Jiang Linfeng paid no mind to Yang Yuanji’s cold stare. Having reached the level of Dark Force in his cultivation, he had never really considered Yang Yuanji a threat.

His prior attempt at persuasion was merely out of respect for Yang Yuanji’s standing as one of the masters of the Four Great Martial Arts Halls. After all, even with his profound cultivation, antagonizing the local powerhouses of Jiangnan Province would prove to be a hassle.

But now, since Yang Yuanji had refused the toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit, Jiang Linfeng felt no need to remain polite.

Stopping three meters away from Yang Yuanji, Jiang Linfeng threw off his long robe and crossed his arms in front of him.

Onlookers noted that his arms were an unusual bluish-black color, unlike that of an ordinary person. As his arms collided, they produced a metallic clashing sound that was sharp and piercing.

Yang Yuanji’s expression grew stern upon hearing this, recognizing the technique, “Iron Fist Skill!”

“You recognize it,” remarked Jiang Linfeng, flexing his body, which crackled intensely like bursting beans. “Yang Yuanji, I suggest you concede now to avoid further hardship.”

“Just make your move,” Yang Yuanji responded tersely, uninterested in further dialogue with Jiang Linfeng.

Jiang Linfeng’s brows twitched with aggression, his gaze on Yang Yuanji predatory, “Since you’re so obstinate, I’ll accommodate you!”

With those words, Jiang Linfeng’s fist clenched, and he launched a fierce punch towards Yang Yuanji’s chest. The punch tore through the air, emitting a clear sound of air being split, moving so swiftly it was nearly invisible.

With just this single move, Jiang Linfeng displayed a level of strength that far exceeded the previous contenders. Observing his casual demeanor, it seemed he hadn’t even exerted much effort.

Facing the lightning-fast strike, Yang Yuanji’s expression turned serious. With a powerful stomp, his right hand transformed into a siege drill, his palm as sharp as a blade, thrusting directly toward Jiang Linfeng’s oncoming fist.

As Yang Yuanji’s foot struck the ground, it seemed to quake beneath them. The stone slabs underfoot disintegrated instantly, and leveraging the force of his stomp, Yang Yuanji’s hand strike was incredibly fast and immensely powerful.

A thunderous collision occurred as Jiang Linfeng’s fist met Yang Yuanji’s hand strike. Their sleeves exploded simultaneously, and both men were forced to retreat several steps.

“Not bad at all, truly befitting the master of the Xuantian Martial Arts Hall,” Jiang Linfeng remarked, seemingly unfazed, his face relaxed and smiling.

In contrast, Yang Yuanji appeared significantly more distressed. His palm turned a deep shade of purple, and his complexion paled as if he had sustained internal injuries.

“Master Yang, your cultivation level truly exceeds my expectations. Are you on the verge of breaking through to the Dark Force stage? If so, then I must exert my full strength,” Jiang Linfeng declared.

Hearing Jiang Linfeng’s statement, Yang Yuanji’s gaze sharpened. He had already exerted his full force to counter Jiang Linfeng’s initial assault and was still injured. Now, Jiang Linfeng implied he hadn’t yet tapped into his full potential.

Could it be?

Before he could ponder further, he saw Jiang Linfeng’s fist approaching again, more ferocious and terrifying than before. With Jiang Linfeng’s speed, it was impossible to dodge.

Seeing this, Yang Yuanji gritted his teeth, crossed his arms in defense, and retreated with his right foot, bracing himself for Jiang Linfeng’s attack.

“Die!” Jiang Linfeng bellowed, his right fist mercilessly targeting Yang Yuanji’s defense.

Jiang Linfeng’s fist collided with Yang Yuanji’s body once again. However, unlike the previous encounter, Yang Yuanji’s clothing on his arms was completely obliterated, sending a shower of fabric fragments into the sky.

Yang Yuanji’s body was hurled through the air, blood spewing from his mouth in an unending stream.

With a thud, he crashed to the ground, landing a good four or five meters away from his initial position.

Seeing Yang Yuanji propelled away, Elder Chen and the members of Chen’s Martial Arts Hall quickly rushed to his side, attempting to lift him up.

“Yuanji, are you alright?” Elder Chen asked, fraught with concern.

Yang Yuanji had sustained these injuries for the sake of Chen’s Martial Arts Hall. If anything serious happened to him, Elder Chen would be haunted by regret for life.

“Cough…cough… Da… Dark… Force…” Yang Yuanji didn’t reply to Elder Chen directly. Instead, he lifted his head, staring at Jiang Linfeng in disbelief.

“Indeed, Master Yang, do you still feel like disciplining me now?” Jiang Linfeng said, his face breaking into a smile.

His remark sent ripples through those present. Although there had been speculation that Jiang Linfeng might possess the Dark Force, it had remained but a guess. Now, it was confirmed that Jiang Linfeng’s cultivation wasn’t merely speculative; he truly possessed the Dark Force.

In Jiangnan Province’s ancient martial arts world, which has been weakening over the years, a master of Dark Force was virtually unbeatable.

Elder Chen wore a look of deep concern. Before confirming Jiang Linfeng’s mastery of the Dark Force, he harbored a sliver of hope for victory, especially since Lin Xiao was of comparable cultivation.

But with Jiang Linfeng’s cultivation confirmed, how could they possibly win?

After Yang Yuanji, gravely injured, was carried away by Chen Martial Arts Hall’s students for treatment, Elder Chen seemed to age years in moments. He turned to Lin Xiao, sighed deeply, and whispered, “Lin Xiao, perhaps we should concede. With Jiang Linfeng at the level of Dark Force, and even if you overcome him, three more martial artists at the peak of Bright Force await. We stand no chance.”

“Master Chen, please, rest assured. We will not lose,” Lin Xiao stated, his voice a model of composure.

“Lin Xiao, I am aware of your capabilities, but now…” Elder Chen said, his voice trailing off in concern.

Before he could finish, Lin Xiao cut him off, “Old Master Chen, how will we know without trying? And with my cultivation level, they can not hurt me.”

“Well… okay then, but if you sense any danger, concede immediately. Don’t push yourself too hard,” Master Chen, observing Lin Xiao’s resolve, reluctantly agreed.

After all, Lin Xiao also possessed the Dark Force. He might not defeat Jiang Linfeng, but he shouldn’t pose any issue to protect himself.

“Then… please be careful!” Chen Lingxin, also aware of the dire situation facing Chen’s Martial Arts Hall, gave Lin Xiao a meaningful glance.

Lin Xiao nodded slightly, then turned and strode toward Jiang Linfeng, who stood with his arms crossed, exuding arrogance.

Jiang Linfeng, upon seeing Lin Xiao in his student attire, scoffed in disdain, “Has Chen’s Martial Arts Hall run out of capable fighters, sending a mere student to face me?”

His loud mockery rang clear to everyone present.

The crowd wore expressions of disbelief. Despite knowing Jiang Linfeng’s formidable level of cultivation, Chen’s Martial Arts Hall hadn’t conceded.

Though Lin Xiao had easily bested Xu Huiba in their earlier encounter, Xu Huiba was merely a junior with a cultivation at the early Bright Force stage, perhaps on the cusp of advancing to the mid-stage.

Jiang Linfeng, however, was a practitioner of the Dark Force. The gap between Bright and Dark Force was vast and seemingly unbridgeable.

Even Yang Yuanji, the strongest among the leaders of the Four Great Martial Arts Halls, was effortlessly dispatched by Jiang Linfeng in a single move. How could this young man in student garb stand a chance against Jiang Linfeng? Was this not tantamount to seeking death?

Nearly everyone believed Lin Xiao was on a futile mission, their gazes filled with a mix of sympathy and pity.

“It looks like Chen’s Martial Arts Hall is on the brink of losing its legacy today.”